I'm going with four stars because The Bear and the Nightingale was just so perfect that it was five stars. But don't NOT read this book-the second in the trilogy. Vasya's living the life she's always dreamed of- riding through Rus' and still confused about her relationship with the Winter Demon-Frost, as confused as he is with her. the writing keeps you enthralled and was so well done that as with the Bear and the Nightingale, I've gone and researched Russian fairy tales and myths. Something that all good writing should do- inspire us to go and learn more about the topic. I don't want to give anything away, but suffice it to say, that characters who "disappeared" via marriage or calling, are now fully part of the story.